In Denver, the council is expected to approve the fee that would start in April, directing grocery and convenience stores to charge 5 cents for every bag, paper or plastic, given to a customer. The idea is to entice people to stop using the thin plastic bags and rely on reusable bags instead.

Revenue from the fee would be split, with the city getting 3 cents and the store 2 cents. The city expects to generate $1.7 million the first year, which will be directed at outreach, environmental cleanup and buying reusable bags to give away.